Defending Harlow (Mountain Mercenaries #4)(66)

Seeing where she was looking, Allye said, “Don’t feel bad. I swear sometimes our men gossip more than we do. Look at them in there, chatting it up.” She gestured toward the kitchen with her head.

“They’re probably talking about Meat, and the fact that he spends more time on his computer than talking to real, live people,” Morgan said.

“Maybe he’s got a secret lover who he’s never met, and the only way they’ve communicated is via the internet,” Chloe said with a smile.

The women giggled.

Then Allye took a deep breath and said, “Or they’re talking about me being pregnant, and Gray is probably trying to get ideas on how to propose to me in some super-huge and grand way.”

Everyone went silent at Allye’s announcement—then Chloe and Morgan screeched in excitement and practically leaped on the other woman in their hurry to congratulate her.

Harlow didn’t exactly screech, but she did hurry over to the woman to add her hugs.

“You’re pregnant?” Chloe asked, once she had herself under control.

Allye nodded. “About two months along. We haven’t said anything before now because, you know . . . we wanted to be sure. But you guys are my friends, and like you said, nothing’s a secret with the Mountain Mercenaries.”

“That’s so amazing,” Morgan said with a huge smile on her face. “Congrats!”

“I guess that’s why you aren’t drinking with us,” Harlow said.

“Yup. Although I’m super jealous of you guys.”

“Why?” Morgan asked.

“Because I know how Gray gets when I get drunk. He can’t keep his hands off me,” Allye said with a satisfied smile.

“Him too?” Chloe asked.

“Isn’t it awesome?” Morgan asked.

“I wouldn’t know,” Harlow said.

The other three women stared at her with speculative glances. “Guess that answers the question of how Black is in bed,” Allye said dryly. “Taking things slow, huh?”

Harlow nodded.

“I don’t think there’s any question about how he’ll be in bed,” Chloe said. “Not with the way he’s been looking at her all night.”

“How’s he been looking at me?” Harlow asked. She knew she was blushing, but needed to hear the answer.

“As if he’s been in the desert for weeks, and you’re a tall glass of water,” Morgan told her.

Feeling the heat in her cheeks deepen, Harlow couldn’t stop the “Really?” that popped out.

“Really,” Allye confirmed. “I guess we decided to crash your little dinner party prematurely.”

“Well, uh . . . I don’t think tonight was going to be the night we got down and dirty,” Harlow said honestly. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m looking forward to it, but we’ve only kissed. I don’t think we’d go from a few kisses straight into sex.”

“Don’t hold your breath,” Chloe said not so innocently, looking up at the ceiling.

Everyone laughed once more. They all settled back into their seats, and Chloe and Morgan started grilling Allye about her pregnancy, and why she thought Gray might be talking to the others about ways to propose.

Harlow let her mind wander. She was happy to have been welcomed into the group, but a part of her already missed hanging out with Lowell. She’d been looking forward to cooking with him and snuggling on the couch. She was being honest with the others when she’d said she didn’t think tonight was the night they would make love for the first time, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t disappointed they didn’t get to spend any time alone together.

“Are these seats taken?” Arrow asked from behind the couch.

“What seats?” Allye asked. “There isn’t enough room for all of us in this apartment.”

“No one asked you to come over,” Black teased as he came around the couch. Without pause, he leaned over and grabbed Harlow’s hand. He pulled her to her feet, sat, then pulled her down to sit on his lap. He braced her back with one hand and rested his other arm over her thighs.

Harlow blinked in surprise. It had taken him but ten seconds to completely rearrange her on the couch. He hadn’t even spilled her drink while moving her. She wanted to be irritated, but how could she? She was just lamenting that she’d missed out on cuddle time with the man, and now here she was . . . cuddling.

“We’ll host the next one,” Ro said immediately. “And we’ll make sure Ball and Meat are there too.”

“Feels weird without them,” Morgan agreed.

“We should get going,” Gray said softly to Allye. “You feeling okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m pregnant, not sick,” she reprimanded.

She stood, and Gray was immediately at her side. His hand palmed her belly, and he pulled her back against his front. “Right.”

Harlow loved the banter not only between the couples themselves, but between the friends. It was what had always been missing in her life. Friends. True friends to hang out with, get tipsy with, and to girl talk with. Without thought, she leaned a bit and rested her head on Lowell’s shoulder. His arm tightened around her, and she knew without doubt that he’d make sure she didn’t lose her balance and topple off his lap. Which was, of course, a possibility, and not just because she’d been drinking.